Since North Carolina became a state in 1789, it’s cranked out some pretty noteworthy items. Some, like the Shibumi Beach Shade + The Nugget, are newer innovations, but others — like Krispy Kreme + the barcode — are so iconic they enjoy national acclaim.
Vicks VapoRub
- This menthol-based topical ointment commonly used to treat coughs and relieve muscle aches + pain was created by a pharmacist in Selma in 1890.
Pepsi-Cola
- Arguably NC’s most famous product, Pepsi-Cola — originally named “Brad’s Drink” after inventor Caleb Bradham — was created in New Bern in 1893 as a way to help with digestion + energy. Today, it’s the biggest rival of Coca-Cola, the world’s most popular soft drink.
Lance Crackers
- Ever enjoyed the simple tastiness of a peanut butter cracker? Give props to Charlotte food broker Philip Lance, who came up with the treats in 1913 after obtaining + roasting 500 pounds of raw peanuts.
NC's popular cherry soda | Photo via Instagram
Glazed Krispy Kreme doughnut I Photo by AVLtoday
Cheerwine
- This cherry-flavored soda was born in the basement of Salisbury entrepreneur Lewis D. Peeler in 1917. Its name is derived from “cheer” (for pleasure) and “wine” (for its deep red hue). The annual Cheerwine Festival takes place in downtown Salisbury each May.
Krispy Kreme
- Folks have been chowing down on Krispy Kreme’s fluffy, yeast-based doughnuts since Vernon Rudolph concocted them for his small, Old Salem-based coffeeshop in 1937. They’re so beloved, there’s even an annual Krispy Kreme Challenge here in Raleigh that challenges runners to eat 12 donuts over the course of 5 miles in just 1 hour.
Texas Pete
- Interestingly enough, this hot sauce hails from nowhere near Texas, but rather Winston Salem, circa 1929. Did you know it’s the third best-selling hot sauce in the country?
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Today
- Elvis Costello | Mon., Oct. 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | $57+ | Enjoy a live performance by award-winning singer Elvis Costello. 🎤
- Demo Night: The World's Largest Chain | Mon., Oct. 18 | 5-8 p.m. | Raleigh Convention Center | Free | Hear from blockbuster speakers and see 50+ live demos at this RIoT event.
- Board of Commissioners Meeting | Mon., Oct. 18 | 2 p.m. | Wake County Justice Center | Free | The board will discuss topics including the increase in call demand for the Wake County EMS. 🚑
- Trivia Night | Mon., Oct. 18 | 6 p.m. | Ponysaurus Brewing, 219 Hood St., Durham | Free | Grab a pint + test your knowledge of useless information — no phones allowed. 🍺
Wednesday
- Emily Wolfe | Wed., Oct. 20 | 9 p.m. | The Pour House Music Hall & Record Shop, 224 S. Blount St. | $10+ | Listen to Austin, TX native rocker Emily Wolfe perform, along with Emily Musolino.
Thursday
- Women Making Change | Thurs., Oct. 21 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | 201 Harrison Oaks Blvd., Cary | $50+ | Join Dress for Success Triangle NC as they present their Women Making Change lunch to help empower women to achieve economic independence.
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Hey Raleigh, Editor Laura here — I recently spent the day playing at the new imagiFAB exhibit in Marbles Kids Museum. And no, I may not be in the targeted age range, but man the activities were entertaining.
The exhibit features hands-on STEAM learning + fun and is now open in the downtown space (201 E. Hargett St.).
3-year-old Yaqeen Abdel Halim in the Animate area | Photo by RALtoday
Children of all ages, backgrounds + abilities can experience and engage through science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (aka STEAM) at the new exhibit presented by NC-based furniture company Nugget.
The space includes 4 play areas: Create, Make, Build, and Animate. Each area offers unique activities — think giant building blocks, a glass wall to paint on, and real tool sets.
What we tried:
I tagged along with a Marbles member, 6-year-old Saleh Abdel Halim, when I first got to the exhibit. Having already visited imagiFAB once before, he knew to guide me straight to the Animate area — and he wasn’t wrong.
In this area, kids (and kids at heart, like me) can design their own vehicle on a sheet of paper. Then, by putting it under a seemingly magical animation machine, the customized vehicle shows up on the giant screen in the room in a matter of seconds. So cool. Ⓟ
Weather
- 70º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain
Open
- Glenwood South got a taste of NYC last weekend when a new bar — Glenwood Social Club — held its grand opening. The spot comes from the team behind Milk Bar, Dogwood Bar & Eatery, and MOFU Shoppe + features Instagram-worthy decor, craft cocktails, and shareable bites. 🍸
- Cucciolo Terrazza opened on Sun., Oct. 17 in North Hills. The modern Italian eatery is a sister restaurant to Cucciolo Osteria in Durham. With a small, seasonal menu, the restaurant is currently offering pastas such as leek puree tagliatelle + quail egg ravioli.
Civic
- Raleigh City Council redistricting is on the agenda for a virtual Town Hall Meeting on Thurs., Oct. 21 at 7 p.m. Census results will be reviewed + panelists will guide the discussion to ensure a transparent redistricting process.
- Early voting for Wake County’s 2021 municipal elections has begun. Fuquay Varina, Holly Springs, and Zebulon will be voting for a new mayor + other towns are also electing local leaders. A voting location at the Wake County Board of Elections Office has opened and 2 more locations will open next week. 🗳️(The News & Observer)
Coming Soon
- A new Yaba Mediterranean Grill is coming to the Olive Park Development on Falls of Neuse Road. This will be the restaurant's second location and first in the Triangle. Expect Mediterranean classics like chicken shawarma, falafel, baba ghanouj + baklava. 🧆 (WRAL)
Featured
- We know when we’ve been beat. We have to give credit to one of our sister markets — Nashville has dethroned Raleigh this year as the top real estate market in the US, knocking us to second place. Raleigh continues to be the No. 1 market for homebuilding prospects. Take that, honky-tonkers. 🏘️ (Triangle Business Journal)
Trending
- What is some serious Raleigh disrespect? Last week on Jeopardy, the question asking “North Carolina’s Research Triangle consists of 3 university cities: Durham, Chapel Hill + this home of NC State” stumped all 3 contestants and got the City of Raleigh tweeting. No one buzzed in, leaving Raleighites feeling a little forgotten. 📺 (The News & Observer)
Biz
- Hatter Leigh Day has been named Chief Marketing Officer at Red Hat after 22 years with the company. Many changes in executive leadership have occurred since the Raleigh tech company was acquired by IBM in 2019. Read about her vision + expectations as CMO here. (TechWire)
Jobs
- Holiday hiring season is upon us, with many businesses around Raleigh holding job fairs + hiring events. Companies with openings include Belk, The Fresh Market, Carmax, and Wegmans. Find more information about available positions here. (The News & Observer)
Outdoors
- Not ready to say goodbye to your summer garden? Here are some tips for what to plant in Raleigh this October, including advice about cover crops, spring flowers, and hardy vegetables that can withstand the fall weather. 🌱 (Walter Magazine)
Award
- Durham took the cake in the food category of Our State magazine’s Made in NC Awards. Melina’s Fresh Pasta was the overall winner for its pimento cheese ravioli, while Valley Brook Farms received honorable mention for its strawberry habanero pepper jelly. 🍓
- Duke University professor Cynthia Rudin has been awarded $1 million + the Squirrel AI Award for her work in artificial intelligence. Cynthia breaks the mold of traditional AI engineering by using the technology to solve social justice issues and make medical diagnoses as a pioneer in her field. 🦾 (TechWire)
Edu
South Saunders, make room in your wine racks + bar carts — Pelagic Beer is opening a sister store. Riparian Beer & Wine is set to open in February 2022 at 1408 S. Saunders St. (in the former ATV Scooter Depot) and will feature the same curated beer and wine selection + plants for purchase that trademarks the original.
The new store and tasting bar will offer more space, open air seating, and a whole lot of beverage choices. We’ll cheers to that. 🥂
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